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Brexit: Universities UK launch #brightestminds campaign to support vital research in the UK

Vice-Chancellor, Adam Tickell, today voiced his support for the Universities UK #brightestminds campaign – an initiative designed to raise awareness of need to provide long-term clarity from the Brexit negotiations for EU academics doing vital research in the UK.

Universities UK (UUK) are calling on the government to ensure there are minimal barriers for non-UK university staff and students, as part of the reformed post-Brexit immigration system.

The umbrella body has stated that vital research carried out in the UK could lose some of its most talented personnel unless they receive long-term clarity from the Brexit negotiations.

On its website the organisationstates that the UK's globally successful university sector benefits significantly from its appeal to high-calibre academics and researchers from around the world. This is certainly the case for the European staff working in our universities. 17% of academic staff and 6% of professional services staff at UK universities are from other EU countries.​

Tweeting his support for the campaign, Editorial Director of Times Higher Education, Phil Baty, stated that 33,735 academic staff and 12,490 professional services staff at UK universities are from other EU countries.

UUK would also like to see a government-backed drive to promote the UK's universities internationally, communicating a welcoming and consistent message that encourages talented staff and students to choose the UK.

Staff and students who want to support the campaign can do so on Twitter and Facebook.